a long way from home

Salt Life is a long way from home.

So, it’s been awhile.  There are a couple of reasons I have not updated in a while. The first is simple, we have just been busy. The second is that most of you keep up with us on facebook, so I apologize for just not feeling the need to update at the moment. That being said I will go into a little more detail about the goings on of the traveling Metzler family and I will try to keep it short but no promises.

Let’s start with location. Charleston, South Carolina. Well, to be more specific we are actually living in Goose Creek. We were fortunate in that we have been able to stay at the RV Park at Joint Base Charleston. This means that it is cheaper than a regular campground for this area and it is also in many ways much safer.  The park is located within the housing section of the base which has been so nice for taking walks and they even have a dog park which makes Mo extremely happy!  It has been so nice to be in an area where we have access to so much. We are constantly busy and although we have done quite a bit of exploring there is so much more to do. We have seen the aquarium, the beach and many of the wonderful parks in the area. We are hoping the weather begins to warm up as we look forward to visiting Patriots Point, Ft. Sumter (where the civil war began), some of the other beaches in the area and also making some trips to visit some of Nathan’s friends that live in adjoining states. 

As many of you have seen from pictures Harlan is growing like a weed. He is so interactive and too smart for his own good. He can climb about anything and I am constantly turning around to find him on top of things like his toy box or our bed.  He took his first steps the same day he turned 13 months old and since then has started to venture further and further. Crawling is still faster for him so as soon as he falls he just starts crawling instead of standing up again. He can sign milk, more and all done but we are still working on please. He waves hi and bye, gives and blows kisses, points to his belly, gives high fives and has learned he can point at what he wants and mom and dad might get it for him.  He still loves playing peek-a-boo and his favorite is using the bathroom door or to do so.  He loves playing in water so he loves bath time and his newest fascination is throwing things in the garbage (so far it has really been garbage and no toys). He talks/babbles constantly and has now begun singing. He keeps us on our toes and we have so much fun with him. He is truly a delight and we thank God for him daily because he makes each day brighter. 

Nathan’s work is wet to say the least. Oh the joy of being on the coast. Obviously being close to the ocean there is a lot of water inland through canals and bays and rivers but it also rains almost once a week sometimes for days at a time.  We are told it does this year round. His first week he encountered poison ivy/oak, we are really not sure which but needless to say he was red and itchy and quite miserable. He has had little bouts with it here and there but nothing like that first time which lasted a few weeks.  He works in a swampy area and at times they cannot get anything done until the tide is low.  He has seen a few alligators but says he will take those over the snakes he has been told about. So far he has not came across one but as it gets warmer that will probably change. He comes home pretty wet and dirty and often has a story about how he sunk down into mud up to his knee or thigh. 

Harlan and I have joined a mom’s group and are enjoying play dates and outings. He loves being around other kids and especially loves the younger babies.  Between the church and gym child care facilities Harlan is learning to be away from mom and dad for a period of time. This was tough at first but after a few weeks he could care less when we leave the room. It is exciting to see how grown up and independent he is but hard too because it has gone so fast.  

So, there it is! Life in South Carolina so far. The hardest part is being so far from everybody and so far from home. We have spent a lot of time away from home in the past few years but for some reason this time has been a little more difficult. (It may have been all that snow that we missed out on for snowboarding!) We are settling in to life on the coast and have no idea how much longer it might be. There is so much to do yet so we aren’t in a big hurry to leave but at the same time we look forward to going back west of the Mississippi. As for now, we are just thankful for technology like Facebook and Skype to keep in touch when we are so far away.  Until next time may God continue to bless you and keep you safe.

 

Give thanks to the Lord

                 for He is good

  His love endures forever

                                     Psalm 136:1